New Year's Eve bash set for the Omni

CORPUS CHRISTI - What are you doing New Year’s Eve? Ring it in with style at the Omni Bayfront Hotel where the annual party returns Dec. 31. Guests will enjoy two tickets to the party on the third floor. Featured entertainment will include Jon Christopher Davis and The Lone Star Attitude in the Corpus Christi Ballroom and Flashback will get everyone moving and shaking in the Nueces Ballroom.

Guests also will enjoy a luxurious room for the night, a Champagne toast and a hot breakfast buffet at 12:15 a.m.

Cost: $169. Information: 887-1600

Flour Bluff/Padre Island Coastal Cotillion

The Flour Bluff/Padre Island Coastal Cotillion held its Christmas Ornament Social at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Corliss on Dec. 5. Each debutante was asked to bring 24 of their favorite homemade cookies with the recipe. Then the ladies each shared the recipe and why it had become a tradition in their families. The debutantes enjoyed the Christmas feast while socializing about their holiday plans and upcoming Presentation Ball in January.

The highlight was the ornament exchange. The ladies were put in a circle while Mrs. Connie Garrison read the poem, “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” They followed the instructions with the poem. One at a time, each debutante opened their ornament gift to share. Then each debutante was presented a special Cotillion ornament by Mrs. Flo East.

The Presentation Ball will be Jan. 22 at the Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center.

Heart Association

Ann and David Engel will host a special reception for the American Heart Association’s 2011 “Broadway Beat” Heart Ball honorees at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 19 in their home.

The honorees are Dr. Michael Burke and Karen and Larry J. Urban. Burke was board certified in adult and pediatric neurosurgery in 1998 and is one of 200 neurosurgeons in the world certified in both. He provides pediatric and adult care through the Neurosurgery Institute of South Texas at Driscoll Children’s Hospital, Christus Spohn Health System hospitals, and Corpus Christi Medical Center-Doctors Regional Hospital. Burke also is an assistant clinical professor at Texas A&M University.

The Urbans have been generous community supporters for many years, contributing to and serving on many local foundations and boards. Larry Urban is co-founder of Urban Engineering. He has been involved in many projects that have aided in the development and growth of the city and surrounding area. Karen Urban serves on at least nine boards and still has time to visit children at Driscoll Children’s Hospital as “Miss Cookie” in the Clowns Who Care group, of which she has been a member since 1993.

Freelancer Sarah Tindall writes about charity events, social organizations and local nonprofits. Contact her at srjtindall@gmail.com